Having grown up in the Scottish Highlands and performed in various folk bands, The Summer Isles and the folk tradition are deeply rooted in Mairearad Green’s composition. As a result, Mairearad has produced a beautiful new solo album, Summer Isles, a seamless and exciting progression from her previous work which is released on February 26th 2016 via Buie Records.

Where and when did you first discover your interest in music?

I got regular piping tuition at my local primary school from the age of 8 and not long after that I discovered other instruments with more than 9 notes!

What are your main ambitions in the industry?

My main ambitions are to make more time for writing music and for folk to keep enjoying and supporting my music.

When did you start writing your own songs/music?

I first started writing music in 4th year at Ullapool High School when we were given a composition project in my music class and one of my first ever tunes, written in this class, is ‘Maggie West’s Waltz.’

What would you say is your music career highlight to date?

Writing, recording and releasing this album!

Who will we hear in your songs?

What are your influences? My influences are landscapes, culture and people. Musical influences include Karine Polwart, Bon Iver, Sigur Ros, King Creosote, Joan as a Police Woman to name a few. Hopefully you will hear these influences in my music – you will definitely hear King Creosote as he is singing one of my songs on the album.

What’s the most important thing you’d want to tell people about your current release?

The writing for this album has been an amazing journey, the place and surrounding culture is deeply rooted in my music and the process from the writing to the release stages has been so rewarding, which I hope is evident in this album!

Who else can you recommend from your genre or local area for people to have a listen to?

I am playing at Woodford Folk Festival and touring Australia with a band called The Poozies from the 27th December to the 19th January and I also have various gigs at Celtic Connections in Glasgow, including one with my Folk duo partner, Anna Massie on the 24th January at the National Piping Centre.